HUDDERSFIELD is to be part of the rock map again.

News that Elton John is hopefully to headline a concert at the McAlpine Stadium will delight thousands of rock and pop fans in the town.

The concert - pencilled in for Saturday, June 12 - will be almost three years to the day since US rockers Bon Jovi delighted a sell-out crowd of 35,000 at the stadium, when they became the latest superstars to perform there.

And there have been many complaints and criticisms that stadium officials had not managed to attract other music greats to the town.

But there is now a possibility that Elton John will be followed on stage by other big names as the stadium celebrates its 10th anniversary this summer.

Stadium boss Ralph Rimmer has confirmed that detailed negotiations are under way to complete more "signings" for the arena.

It is nine years since REM and charismatic singer Michael Stipe performed for two sell-out nights at the stadium - the biggest rock event ever to hit Huddersfield.

They were later followed by Canadian rocker Bryan Adams - who boasted of close links with Honley - and The Eagles, who again attracted a 35,000-plus crowd.

The Beautiful South, who had appeared in 1995 as a support act for REM, became top of the bill for a mammoth concert in July, 1997.

And Jon Bon Jovi belted out more than two hours of top rock music in June, 2001.

Every one of the concerts has passed off without any problems, other than traffic hold-ups.

Traders and retailers in Huddersfield have been delighted with the spin-offs, as rock fans from across the country have descended on the town.

Estimates put the extra income as millions of pounds.